Authentic Connections Counseling LLC

10/26/2026

Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the big feeling, it’s the guilt afterward.

You replay what you said, wonder why it hit you so hard, and promise yourself you’ll handle it differently next time.

You deserve tools and support that go beyond “try harder.” Therapy can help you understand what’s building up and find ways to navigate overwhelm that work for your brain.

At Authentic Connections Counseling, we support neurodivergent teens and adults with the messy, emotional parts of everyday life. 🫶

Reach out through the link in our bio to connect with a therapist.

AuthenticConnectionsCounseling

10/23/2026

Send this to someone who could use this reminder 🫶

10/23/2026

Meet Marilee! 💕

We’re so glad she’s part of the Authentic Connections Counseling team! From helping couples and individuals navigate relationships to supporting clients through life’s moments, Marilee brings so much care to the work she does.

Click the link in our bio to learn more and schedule!

10/20/2026

Sometimes “I’m overwhelmed” doesn’t mean there’s one big thing wrong.

Sometimes it means there have been too many small things for too long.

Too many decisions.
Too many interruptions.
Too many things to remember.
Too many emotions to manage.
Too many people needing something from you.
Too little time to actually recover.

Our nervous systems aren’t designed to stay activated indefinitely.
If you’ve been feeling more irritable, emotional, scattered, exhausted, or shut down lately, consider asking yourself:

“What has my nervous system been carrying that I haven’t had a chance to recover from?”

You may not need to try harder.

You may need fewer demands, more support, or actual time to recover.

Send a message to learn more

10/06/2026

When Helpers Are Your Clients: Secondary Trauma in Helping Professionals
Mental health professionals are not immune to the impact of the work they do. Whether you’re early in your career or have spent decades in the field, regularly sitting with clients through trauma, grief, crisis, and pain can take a toll.
The signs of secondary traumatic stress (STS) can also be easy to miss — or mistaken for burnout, compassion fatigue, or simply being exhausted by the work. Understanding the difference matters.
Recognizing what’s happening allows clinicians to respond earlier, protect their well-being, and continue doing meaningful work without sacrificing themselves in the process.
And you don’t have to wait until STS develops to address it. This training also focuses on prevention, helping newer clinicians build sustainable practices from the beginning, experienced clinicians recognize risks that can accumulate over time, and those who support clinical teams create environments that better protect the people doing this work.
Training Details
📅 Date: Friday, November 20, 2026
⏰ Time: 12:30 - 2 PM ET
📍 Live Virtual Training
🎓 1.5 CE Hours
💲 $35

Save Your Spot: https://accounselingllc.com/when-helpers-are-your-clients

Send a message to learn more

09/25/2026

Still taking this one in🥹✨

So incredibly honored to be recognized as one of Loudoun’s 40 Under 40 for 2026!!

It was a little surreal seeing my name up there and getting to celebrate alongside so many amazing people in our community. I’m incredibly grateful for the people, experiences, and opportunities that have shaped me and supported me along the way 🫶💕

What a meaningful milestone!!!

09/23/2026

Su***de prevention isn’t only about knowing what to do in a crisis. It’s also about what we build before a crisis happens. 💙

Connection. Belonging. Safe relationships. Access to support. Having people who notice when something feels different, and who aren’t afraid to ask the hard questions.

For parents and families, you don’t have to have all the right words or know exactly what to do. Being present, staying curious, taking changes seriously, and creating space for honest conversations about mental health can matter more than you realize.

And if someone you love is struggling, asking directly about su***de does not put the idea in their head. It can open the door to a conversation they may not know how to start.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of su***de, call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

09/21/2026

📣 FREE COMMUNITY WEBINAR: Beyond PMS — Understanding Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Have you ever noticed that you (or your teen) seem to become a completely different person in the days or weeks before a period?
Maybe anxiety suddenly spikes. Everything feels more overwhelming. Irritability or anger feels harder to control.

Relationships become more difficult. Depression gets heavier. And then, once the period starts, things begin to feel more manageable again.

Sometimes it’s PMS. Sometimes it may be PMDD. And sometimes an existing mental health condition is being intensified by the menstrual cycle, known as Premenstrual Exacerbation (PME).

Join Cammie Terry, LPC, NCC, ADHD-CCSP, NPT-C of Authentic Connections Counseling for a free one-hour community webinar where we’ll talk about:
✨ What PMDD is — and what it isn’t
✨ Signs and symptoms of PMDD
✨ PMDD vs. PME
✨ How PMDD is diagnosed
✨ Treatment and support options

This conversation is open to teens, adults, parents, caregivers, partners, and anyone who wants to better understand PMDD.

💛 We hope you’ll join us for this free community conversation and help us bring more awareness and understanding to a condition that can be incredibly disruptive, but is often misunderstood or overlooked.

📅 Friday, October 16th
⏰ 3:00–4:00 PM ET
💻 Virtual + FREE
🔗 Register here: https://forms.gle/4C2EdAv7Zpboed937

09/09/2026

🩵🩵🩵

Huge thank you to Bronze Sponsor Authentic Connections Counseling! Our hearts are filled with gratitude! Thank you for being part of our ohana! 🌺 Hugs from Ohana & the Watson Family!
http://www.accounselingllc.com/

09/07/2026

This is a gem of a pop-up class at West Trail Wellness and Massage.
Sign up is available at: https://share.google/0ioD0Mj8EDZ36sf9u